Promotion of cycling activities in Rezekne City

By project PROMOTER

Published on 28 October 2024

Latvia

Latvija

Rēzekne

About this good practice

Good practice is based on the set of local activities, which encourage community to use bicycles, ensure raising of awareness of sustainable mobility and cycling culture. In 2015, Creative Youth Center named ZEIMULS in cooperation with the State Fire and Rescue Service, the Road Traffic Safety Directorate and the State Police opened a "Safety class" to teach children about road safety. In this regard, Center ZEIMULS provides regular training for obtaining a bicycle driver's license. The 2nd activity, to promote active leisure time and to popularize the bicycle as an environment and human-friendly vehicle, is the annual cycling event on 4th of May (the Day of Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia). This tradition started in 2014 and took place in Rezekne city. The number of participants (in 2022 and 2023 about 400, of various age groups) indicates the popularity of this event. The 3rd activity, contributing to the mitigation of climate change by traveling "green", was implemented in the framework of project EuroVelo11 (“Development of Cycling Tourism in Eastern Latvia by Connecting to the International Cycling Route Network “EuroVelo11” as a European bicycle tourist destination) by marking the bicycle route "EuroVelo11".

Resources needed

“Safety class“ is covered by municipal budget (program for extracurricular activities). Public cycling tour on the 4th of May is organized as part of cultural events and covered by municipal budget.
EAFRD funding EUR 99850 for the implementation of project “EuroVelo11“activities.

Evidence of success

The cycling program fully justifies itself, raising a great interest of children: about 40 children attend each course, 200 students received a cyclist's license within 2 years. The number of participants at the annual cycling event on 4th of May is about 300 (the average population in Rezekne city is about 26000 inhabitants). Results of project “EuroVelo11”: 370 km long marked route, a map in 3 languages, Latgale cycle tourism development strategy 2021-2027.

Potential for learning or transfer

1. Adapted infrastructure for trainings in a relaxed atmosphere, motivated students who want to learn more about safe road traffic, successful cooperation with responsive partners from the Police and other institutions/authorities.
2. Useful, healthy spending of free time with the family, celebrating public holidays and promoting green mobility.
3. EuroVelo11 belongs to the European cycle route network – a network of 16 long distance cycle routes that connect the whole continent. Coordinated by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), the routes can be used by long-distance cycle tourists as well as by local people making daily journeys. A sustainable cycle route promotes environmental health, social equity and economic development, making it a valuable asset to any community.